Hello again, it is a beautiful day, I mowed the lawn this morning and enjoyed sitting under the trees afterward to listen to the birds and share some bread with my friends the crows… about thirty of them, sometimes more. Funny as you won’t see one anywhere, but lay some food out and one comes crowing and in a matter of second there is a black blotch on the lawn. You would think the first one would be quiet and eat his fill but no, he calls in the others. They seem to be a very sharing group looking out for each other… I’ve never seen them fight over anything put out for them. Some folks don’t like crows but I find them fun.

It is afternoon now and I am taking a break from sewing, having vision in only one eye is frustrating at times… try to thread a needle.. it can be funny as your depth perception is off and so you try very carefully to get the thread in the eye only to find you are off to the left or the right of the needle. Could take several minutes and many tries to get it right but its worth the effort. I am making Christmas gifts and that is always fun.

Last night I finished a very different and interesting book, a quick read only 112 pages. The author, Ruth Reichl is such a fine writer I couldn’t put it down. The title caught my attention at our local library and I just had to give it a try, I’ve not read anything by Ms. Reichl before but I will look for more of her writings.

The title NOT BECOMING MY MOTHER AND OTHER THINGS SHE TAUGHT ME ALONG THE WAY, struck a cord because I realize we never understand our parents when we are young, not really know the person inside and that is important. Understanding can be healthy especially if there were hurts that can be carried on into our own lives. What Ms. Reichl discovers about her mother and the trials of the age her mother lived in is most enlightening to her, and to the reader. One tends to think about their own parents and what their life must have been like. A most wonderful, thought provoking book to read.

Personally have been working on my father’s notes of his life, what he remembered when he put his thought to paper; I am editing them into his memoir. I find I will title it THE FATHER I NEVER KNEW, because it is just that. He was a harsh father and I see now this life contained many personal reasons for his harshness, as a child and as a young adult I of course didn’t know or understand his harshness, now through his notes I can see and understand that inside he was a loving, sansative human being, he just didn’t know how to express that side of him and he did the best he could. I was lucky I was able to forgive him many years ago before he passed and yet I am so pleased to be writing from his notes because I have learned more and experienced such warmth, love and understand of him it’s been a real blessing. As the saying goes and it is true, when you resent someone, you feel the resentment and when you can forgive and love that person you, feel the love and can pass it on to others.

If you looking for something thought provoking, educational and very interesting pick up NOT BECOMING MY MOTHER & other things, she taught me along the way by Ruth Reichl. A good read!